Doug

"Doug," oil on panel, 14x11

The man in this portrait was a lifelong smoker of cigarettes who developed lung disease and respiration failture when in his seventies. This particular life study was done perhaps a decade before his illness became severe, but there is something sad and also inevitable about his looks even before he became ill. 

Most portraits are joyful, or at least happy, but sometimes the deeper issues in the life of the sitter come to dominate. Carefully observed portraits can sweep back the mask of normalcy. 

The Chaperone

"The Chaperone," oil on panel, 12x9, private collection

When we were much younger, we needed an adult to supervise our social events--parties, dances, and so on. At least some of those women (very rarely men) seemed suspicious and didn't seem to trust our adolescent selves to behave responsibly. 

This oil painting developed from those long-ago experiences. It entered a private collection long long ago. 
 

From Capitol Hill

Last weekend the sketchers split up--about half went to the state capitol across the Des Moines River, east of downtown. The hill is maybe 50 feet higher than the downtown (west) side of the river, so the view are long and panoramic. I sat under a mature shade tree at the entrance to the capitol building and sketched a view of the cityscape. From where I sat the land that slopes down to the river is panted with flowering shrubs and an arboretum of native trees. From the bottom, the ground rises to a stepped plaza fronting the building. 

"View of Des Moines," wc/ink on paper

You could say that my approach to these sketches is primarily illustraional and I wouldn't argue. Certainly these sketches are planned, with deliberate compositional choices, value ranges, and detail. Some painters, regardless of medium, go for the spontaneous stroke of paint, happy accidents and unexpected changes. It occurs to me that such an approach can lead to wonderful results or abject disasters, so I prefer planning. 

This work was done in my usual work flow: graphite drawing, watercolor wash-in. ink high lighting or emphasizing. 
 

Lillian

"Lillian," oil on panel

This portrait is a work completed from photo references and life. Lillian was about eight years old at the time, and is now about twenty years older. I liked the open-eyed wonder captured in this piece, which I've retained in my studio. 

 

Saturday Summer Sketch

I ordered a new sketchbook from Luchetti, a new company that makes their books lay flat (somehow) without the usual gutter that fills with puddles of paint. It's utterly flat when open, without any groove at the junction of pages. Remarkable. These currently can only be ordered directly via the link above. They come as hardcover in a single 8x8 size, though a new 5x5 square size is coming available. They are available as either hot or cold press and very heavy paper. 

"In the Biergarten," wc/ink on paper, ~8x11

This is a view from the Birgarten in Waterworks Park, which is open May through September for al fresco imbibing and hanging out. I sat at one of the picnic benches with a couple of colleagues and faced away from the group to focus on one of the vast landscape views one can see in the park. As ever I laid in the composition in graphite and then painted. After everything was dry I went back and added very narrow ink lines in selected spots. 

The Bike Trail

"The Trail," oil on panel, 9x12

This oil painting is a view of a pedestrian/bicycle trail that winds through Grays Lake, not far from my home studio. The asphalt trail is part of an extensive system that runs throughout Des Moines and connects to trails that go to other towns here in central Iowa. Cycling is one of the most popular activities around here. 

I set up my easel in the shade of one of these enormous trees that surround the lake and enjoyed a cool south breeze as I worked. This was completed on the spot.  

Fifth Street

"On Fifth Street," wc/ink on paper, 8x12

Saturday our sketch group headed for Valley Junction, an old shopping and downtown area that was once home to a railroad town before changing its name and losing the railroad connection. The original name stuck to this district, which recovered as a funky, trendy area of shops. There are bars, eateries, art galleries, jewelry shops, and the like plus a great deal of century-old architecture. The main business street is 5th.

Although the day was broiling, it was pleasant enough on a shady bench with a light breeze. I sketched a converted theater on the opposite corner, it's old movie marquee still there. The occupant now is, fittingly, a costume shop where you can get anything from theatrical costumes to Frankenstein masks. The Junction was quite busy that day, despite the oppressive heat. 

This watercolor followed my usual method--graphite sketch, paint then ink, then modify.